A Beautiful Summertime Walk

We walked for miles on a beautiful trail through the woods.  Along both sides are twin brooks that usually, actually run, babble-ing as they go (as apposed to the wet mud there today.)  Insects were prevalent, and butterflies flitted among the flowers.  I was also fortunate to see my very first Cedar Waxwing among other birds that day.  The hot sun gave everything a lustre and the steamy moisture from whatever water was around, giving it a rain forest feel.  Although there was a flutter of activity, it had a peaceful, calming affect. 

C'mon for a walk with me!!

For Carol.  May everything I felt be shared with you at this time.

~ Laura ~

Portrait of a Red-Tailed Hawk

It was one of those torrential summer rainstorms where the rain falls fast and furiously, that I noticed this hawk as I drove by the tree it was in.  Rain or no rain, I couldn't pass it up.  And from the sounds I'd been hearing in the surrounding area and a lot of activity from this bird in the past few weeks, I'm pretty sure it was tending to babies. I'll have to keep an eye out.

Well.....  no more than usual!  Ha!




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Copperhead and Black Snakes

The heat of summer seems to be bringing out snakes.  Here are portraits of a Copperhead snake and a Black snake, both taken two days apart last week.

Dry & Desolate

I visited one of my favorite places the other day.  It was unexpected--but not surprising--to see dry and desolate mud-holes where usually two ponds provide a lively, lovely habitat for fish, beavers, birds and numerous other wildlife.  A lush, green cover of algae and weeds took over where water once was, brown sticks and muddy hillocks jutted up from the ground.

At my first look, it took my breath away with dismay, however, upon closer inspection I noticed, quite happily, that there were still some animals using what little water remained or taking advantage of the insects and other life that the mud provides.  Swamp life still prevailed!  Blending in with their surroundings (look carefully!) so exquisitely, was an American Bittern, a Killdeer bird, a Great Blue Heron, a family of ducks, and an assortment of damselflies. 

                  Cattails were a symbol of hope that the ponds will flourish once more with coming rains.

Florida Wildlife - Part II

                                                                        Roseate Spoonbill

          Not sure what kind of wading bird this is.  Perhaps a juvenile oystercatcher?  Anyone know?

                            
                                                                          White Ibises

                                                                    Double-Crested Cormorants

                                                                American Brown Pelicans

                                                                                Tern

                                              Blue-Winged Teals, splashing about in the rain!

                                                 This small Permit was caught off a marina.